Maltese international Udo Nwoko has joined Chinese Super League side Chengdu Blades after rescinding his contract with Portuguese side Leixoes.

The local website maltafootball.com reported that the player has signed a one-year contract with the club which is a subsidiary of Sheffield United (nicknamed The Blades).

Nwoko had started his career in Malta with Hibernians. He formed part of their Youth Nursery. Later he played for the senior team, making his Premier League debut in season 2003/2004. He also played for Xewkija Tigers in Gozo before joining Mosta in the Premier League. He had also formed part of the Marsaxlokk side that won the Malta Premier League title in 2007.

Nwoko has played several times for Malta since his debut in October 2007, but was dropped for the last two matches – the friendly against Ferencvaros (last week) and the World Cup qualifier against Albania last Wednesday.